Portable vacuum packaging appliance

ABSTRACT

A portable vacuum packaging appliance for use with a bag is described. The vacuum packaging appliance includes a housing body with a slot opening for engaging bag for sealing the open bag end via the sealer mechanism; a bag penetration nozzle mechanism capable of puncturing holes in the bag with top and bottom gasket temporary seals, allowing evacuation of bag air and gas; a vacuum pump operatively coupled to the vacuum chamber portion and communicatively coupled with the penetration nozzle mechanism, isolating the bag contents in an evacuated state, and a sealer mechanism to seal the open bag end and also to re-seal along a perimeter between the bag penetration nozzle and the bag contents. The process of the invention vacuum sealing is instrumental in its compact design and mobile utility, which includes a bag sealing before evacuation and resealing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vacuum packaging appliances and methodsof vacuum packaging. More particularly, the invention teaches vacuumpackaging appliances with compact footprints and portabilitycharacteristics, alternative bag seal processing configurations, andalternative seal methods promoting bag material type and compositionvariability.

2. Background

Contact with air causes food to deteriorate. Vacuum packaging involvesremoving air or other gases from a storage container and then sealingthe container to prevent the contents from being exposed to ambient air.Vacuum packaging is particularly useful in protecting food and otherperishables against oxidation. Oxygen is a main cause of food spoilageand contributes to the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast. Accordingly,vacuum-packaged food often lasts three to five times longer than foodstored in ordinary containers. Moreover, vacuum packaging is useful forstoring clothes, photographs, silver, and other items to preventdiscoloration, corrosion, rust, oxidation and tarnishing. Vacuumpackaging also produces tight, strong, and compact packages, reducingthe bulk of articles and allowing for more space to store othersupplies.

Conventional vacuum packaging appliances include a base typically largeenough to span the bag container to be sealed, with a pivoting lid whichtraps and holds the bag in a fixed position. A receiving chamber canapply a vacuum to the bag evacuating and then thermally sealing the bagopening.

Conventional vacuum packaging bags include two panels attached togetherwith an open end. Typically, the panels each include two or more layers.The inner layer can be a heat sealable material, and the outer layer canbe a gas impermeable material to provide a barrier against the influx ofair. The plasticity temperature of the inner layer is lower than theouter layer. As such, the bag can be heated to thermally bond the innerlayer of each panel together to seal the bag without melting orpuncturing the outer layer.

A conventional vacuum packaging process may include depositing theobject in the specially made bag and positioning an open end of the bagin a lower trough of the vacuum packaging appliance. Next, a lid pivotsdownward to form the vacuum chamber with the open end of the bagdisposed within the vacuum chamber. The vacuum pump then removes gasfrom the vacuum chamber and the interior of the bag, which is in fluidcommunication with the vacuum chamber. After gas has been removed fromthe interior of the bag, the heating element heats a strip of the bagproximate to the open end to bond the inner layer of each panel togetherand thermally seal the bag.

One such vacuum packaging system, 20040168404—“Vacuum packagingapparatus and method”, teaches a combined cutting blade and heat bar foruse with a vacuum packaging device having a lid for sealing over thecavity of a base. The cutting blade and heat bar are connected to oneanother and movable via a single actuating mechanism mounted to the lid.In use, in one step the combined mechanism is lowered with the heat barunheated and the cutting element cuts slits in the bag for evacuation ofthe air. After air evacuation, the combined mechanism is lowered withthe heat bar heated, melting the bag closed behind the slit area of thebag. The base is slightly longer than the heating element, 27 inches.Although this method reduces some steps in the vacuum and packagingprocess, the appliance size and bulk limit its portability and mobileuse. This deficiency is characteristic of most vacuum packagingappliances.

These conventional vacuum packaging appliances are large bulky devicescommanding much valuable counter top space and are not portable,precluding them from many uses and limiting their utility. Food andother items are susceptible to spoilage, oxidation, rust and otherwisewaste, in the presence of air. These are often not proximate to a vacuumpackaging system, which are left on kitchen counter tops. Thus a readymarket exists for vacuum packaging systems that are compact, portable,cheaper to build, use less material and occupy less counter top space.

What are needed are compact vacuum packaging systems that can servemobile uses. What are needed are portable vacuum packaging applianceswhich can provide utility outside the kitchen and aren't tethered topower sources. What are needed are vacuum packaging systems that canreuse the bags or use collapsible containers, which are recyclable orreusable. What are needed are processes that reduce waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable vacuum packaging appliance for use with a bag is disclosed.An embodiment of the instant invention vacuum packaging appliancecomprising: a housing body with a slot opening for engaging bag forsealing the open bag end via a sealer mechanism; a bag penetrationnozzle mechanism capable of puncturing holes in the bag with top andbottom gasket temporary seals, allowing evacuation of bag air and gaswithout communication with ambient air; a vacuum pump operativelycoupled to the vacuum chamber portion and communicatively coupled withthe penetration nozzle mechanism for removing air from the bag,isolating the bag contents in an evacuated state, and a sealer mechanismto seal the open bag end and also to re-seal along a perimeter betweenthe bag penetration nozzle and the bag contents.

Other embodiments include various sealing processes and mechanismsenhancing portability of vacuum packaging appliances, mobile operationand use while reducing appliance size, weight, and material cost.

The process of vacuum sealing packages is instrumental in its compactdesign. This includes feeding an open-end edge of a bag through anintake feeder mechanism, first sealing the edge of the open end of thebag by translation of bag open end through a sealing mechanism;puncturing bag with a penetration nozzle mechanism establishingconvective communication with the bag contents through penetration hole;evacuating air and gas from the bag internals via the penetration nozzlemechanism, and resealing the bag along a perimeter between the punchedhole and bag contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a vacuum packaging appliance inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing stages of bag sealing evacuating andresealing in accordance with an aspect of the invention

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the bag penetration nozzle mechanism inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of a vacuum packaging appliance inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention

FIG. 5 contains two schematic isometric views of an edge vacuum and sealpackaging hand held appliance in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention

FIG. 6 contains two schematic isometric views of a corner vacuum andseal packaging hand held appliance in accordance with another embodimentof the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention teaches a vacuum packagingappliance that is designed to vacuum pack food, products and itemsrequiring isolation from air. Moreover, the embodiment is designed in amanner that reduces bulk, is not tethered by power cords, is portableand made for mobile uses. Applications offered by the embodiment arerealized by changing the process, which achieves a vacuum packedproduct, but in an unconventional process step order.

Single Thermal Element Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a vacuum packaging appliance inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The embodiment shown inFIG. 1 includes a base 103, housing body 109, user interface panel 111,bag penetration nozzle vacuum and seal slot 105 and vacuum suction port101.

A bag open end is fed through the insertion seal slot 105 to seal thebag across the entire open end with the contents from ambient. The bagopen end is initially fed through the initial seal slot 105 and sealedwith a seal bar, extrusion thermal contact, controlled laser heatdeposition melt seal, or other sealing method known to those skilled inthe art. The bag feed process can be manually done or positionallyconfigured to employ available bag length extension and surface supportof bag contents coupled with an automatic feed mechanism. Alternate feedmethods may include external support members, depending on the bagmaterial being moved and bag dimensions and appliance anchors to varioussurfaces.

The present invention contemplates a variety of sealing mechanisms, theselection of which depends upon the desired application and the type ofthe bag material. For example, a conductive wire heat sealing mechanismwidely used in state of the art vacuum packaging appliances would besuitable for bags formed with a heat sealable resin, as would a laserheat deposition device, or any other suitable heat seating mechanism.Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that theapplication of pressure can have a similar result in forming a seal on aheat sealable resin.

The housing body 109 contains a bag insertion slot 105 that servesseveral functions. The operation of the vacuum packaging is briefly asfollows. Initially the bag open end is sealed with the contents to bevacuum packaged inside the bag. This is done by insertion and feeding ofthe bag open-end edge into the bag penetration vacuum and seal slot 105for sealing. The bag is then inserted again into the vacuum and sealslot 105 for a small opening and evacuation. By selecting the evacuationoption on the user panel 111, the bag penetration nozzle mechanismengages and punctures the bag, retaining a top and bottom gaskettemporary seal for suctioning bag internal air out of the bag. This isfollowed by a resealing of the perimeter between the hole and the bagcontents maintaining the vacuum condition inside the bag.

The housing body 109 and base 103 contain a vacuum chamber with vacuumpump operatively coupled with a power source, suction side of the vacuumchamber communicatively coupled to the penetration nozzle mechanism withcontrols to the user interface panel 111.

One embodiment of the penetration nozzle is a retractable mechanismcontaining a special sealing disc on a jaw that automatically seals thesmall hole in the bag once the air and gas are removed. In cases wherethe contents of the bag are consumed incrementally and the contentsrequire the vacuum storage between uses, the bag can be opened andresealed as necessary, applying the operation cited above, in a slightlydifferent location on the bag, advantageously moving the opening closerto the bag contents so that re-sealing can done upstream of the previousopening(s). Since the hole penetrations are small, the process can berepeated with the same bag at slightly different locations, bag widthallowing, thus reusing the bag reduces waste of bag and waste of bagcontents to spoilage or oxidation. For this reason, there is no “finalseal” as bags can be resealed numerous times.

The user interface panel 111 can be made as sophisticated as desired,but the primary purpose would be to enable the user to operate thedevice for its intended purpose. The interface will provide the userinformation regarding vacuum level, sealing operation, allow the user toestablish parameters for these operations such as length of seal, vacuumprofile, etc. The user interface panel 111 allows the user to controlthe order of the operation necessary to accomplish the initial sealing,and then the bag penetration, evacuation and re-sealing.

The present invention contemplates a variety of penetration mechanisms,the selection of which depends upon the desired application, cost, sizeand the type of the bag material used. Although a penetration mechanismis described below, one skilled in the art will recognize that there areother means of penetrating a bag and maintaining a sealed communicationwithin the bag.

Bag Vacuum and Seal Process

FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing stages of a bagsealing-puncturing-evacuating-resealing process in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The process of vacuum packaginggoods in accordance one embodiment begins with inserting product intothe bag. Next, the user feeds the open-end edge of a bag through anintake feeder mechanism, the bag having an open end 201 side edges 203and a closed distal end 205. The user then seals the edge 209 of theopen end 207 of the bag as it translates through the sealing mechanism.At this point the product is sealed within the bag, but no vacuum hasbeen applied.

Next, the user punctures the bag 211 on the inside of the sealed bag,with a penetration mechanism, thus putting the contents of the bag inconvective communication with the appliance vacuum chamber, whilemaintaining internal bag air integrity from outside bag ambient air.Actuation of the appliance then evacuates air and gas from inside thebag through the penetrating nozzle, and resealing along a perimeter 213between the punched hole 211 and bag contents 215 such that the at leastone punched bag hole is no longer coupled with the inner portion of thebag. The re-seal perimeter double lines 213 illustrate the upper andlower gasket seals. Note that the shown re-seal 217 219 is not drawn toscale and occupies a much smaller region than depicted. The re-sealperimeter geometry is also not necessarily concentric to the bagpenetration but is substantially isolating of contents of bag fromambient. The process results in a vacuum packaged product.

Bag Penetration Nozzle Mechanism

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one suitable bag penetration nozzlemechanism. The penetration nozzle includes a hole puncher head 303 withcylindrical slice surface 301, head 303 attached to a base 309 withgroove channels for convective communication between bag inside andvacuum chamber via the channels 309 in base stand 313 inside the head303. Channel grooves are in convective communication 315 with a vacuumchamber, not shown. The penetration nozzle assembly includes aconcentric outside housing portion 311. The channel grooves are optionaland may take any suitable form effective to enhance the evacuationprocess.

During non-use, the hole puncher head 303 remains in a recessed positioninside the housing 311 and the housing 311 itself remains in are-tracked position. Upon operation of the now sealed and pressedtogether bag forming a two layer surface flattened bag, the penetrationmechanism extends to the bag, the nozzle housing 311 impinges on thefirst bag surface creating a temporary top gasket seal. The puncher head303 is positioned to penetrate the first bag surface and push the secondlayer surface side of the bag outward, positioning the head between thetwo bag sides so that the groove channels 309 running subjacent to thepenetration head 303 are exposed to the inside of the bag, just betweenthe bag surfaces, with the penetration head slightly forward creating atemporary second gasket seal. Following the bag air and gas evacuation,the sealing element forms a seal isolating the hole from the contents.The sealing elements can be of various types known to those skilled inthe art and also alternate bag puncture mechanisms known to thoseskilled in the art are not precluded here.

A Two Thermal Element Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of a vacuum packaging appliance inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention. The FIG. 4embodiment includes a base 403, housing body 409, user interface panel411, bag penetration nozzle vacuum and seal slot 405, initial seal slot407 and vacuum suction port 401. In short, this preferred embodimentadds a slot with thermal element mechanism to facilitate the initialsealing of the bag open end establishing a closed and sealed bag withcontents to be vacuum packaged.

The appliance body 409 is shaped to enhance portability as well ashandheld use. Thus the cylindrical body shape allows the user to graspthe appliance in one hand while engaging the bag to be vacuum packagedwith the other hand. This aspect of the invention allows the user toanchor or stabilize the appliance during operation without the necessityof weight or a flat wide dimensionality conventionally used to stabilizethe appliance during operation. In addition, the user interface panelslocation allows the user to control selection and options with a thumbif desired, thus facilitating appliance operation with one hand undersome circumstances.

A bag with contents to be vacuum packaged is fed with the open bag endthrough the initial seal slot 407 to seal the bag with the contents tobe protected from air and gas. The slot can comprise a gripper gearmechanism for a programmed feed rate dependent on the type of bag, bagthickness and sealing mechanism used. The bag open end is fed throughthe initial seal slot 407 and sealed with a seal bar, extrusion thermalcontact, controlled laser heat deposition melt seal, or other sealingmethod known to those skilled in the art. The bag feed process can bemanually done or positionally configured to employ bag length extensionand surface support of bag contents coupled with an automatic feedmechanism. Alternate feed methods may include external support members,depending on the bag material being moved and bag dimensions andappliance anchors to various surfaces.

The remaining operation of the vacuum packaging is briefly as follows.After the bag is sealed, it is inserted again into the vacuum and sealslot 405 for puncturing, evacuation and re-seal. By selecting theevacuation option on the user panel 411, the bag penetration nozzlemechanism engages and punctures the bag, retaining a top and bottomgasket temporary seal for suctioning bag internal air out of the bag.This is followed by a resealing of the perimeter between the hole andthe bag contents maintaining the vacuum condition inside the bag as inthe FIG. 1 embodiment.

The housing body 409 and base 403 contain a vacuum chamber with vacuumpump operatively coupled with a power source, suction side of the vacuumchamber communicatively coupled to the penetration nozzle mechanismwhose selection and operation can be controlled via the user interfacepanel 411.

The penetration nozzle is a retractable mechanism functioning much asdescribed above in the FIG. 1 embodiment, as is the user interface panel411.

In addition to it's volumetric utility in containing vacuum pump,chamber or other components, the base 401 is shaped for possible use tobrace the appliance against a surface during operation. Otherembodiments can use suction or other surface attachment devices to thebase to provide further stability if two-hands free operation isrequired.

As in the above embodiments, a variety of sealing mechanisms can beused, the selection of which depends upon the desired application andthe type of the bag material. A conductive wire heat sealing mechanismwidely used in state of the art vacuum packaging appliances would besuitable for bags formed with heat sealable resin, as would a laser heatdeposition device, or any other suitable heat sealing mechanism.Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that theapplication of pressure can have a similar result in forming a seal on aheat sealable resin.

Flat Design Handheld Embodiments

Alternate handheld embodiments are illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.Portability is closely associated with handheld vacuum packaging systemsbut they are different aspects of the instant invention. As in thecylindrical housing shapes of the above embodiments are designed forhandheld operation, likewise the flat design handheld embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 make use of handgrip operation byproviding handles for free mobile uses of vacuum packaging operation.

FIG. 5 contains two schematic isometric views 501 502 of an edge vacuumand seal packaging hand held appliance in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. View 501 illustrates the outside and view502 has a cutout view of the inside portion of the vacuum and sealmechanism.

Both views 501 502 show the sealing feature 505 functions the same forthe corner and edge embodiments. The edge vacuum & seal feature 503,compression wheel 507 in the seal feature, and the handle 506 used inholding the vacuum packaging appliance during operation are shown inview 501.

In the initial bag open-end seal, a sealing motion is used to push orpull the open-end of the bag through the trough-like sealing channel505, which uses a compression wheel 507 to press seal the open-endclosed and bonded. The other side of the edge sealer 502 applianceillustrates the edge vacuum and seal feature. The vacuum and sealfeature 503 functions similarly to the above embodiments in that apenetration mechanism inserts a punch nozzle with small ducts or channelinto the sealed bag allowing evacuation of the air or gas from withinthe bag, collapsing the back tightly around the contents and forming avacuum seal. The penetration is then sealed as expressed above. Thisembodiment acts on a side edge of the bag, which is aligned flush, ornearly so, and held steady to position the penetration hole where there-seal can be accomplished without misalignment between the processes.A curved sealing element 511 is shown in conjunction with a single blade509.

FIG. 6 contains two schematic isometric views of a corner vacuum andseal packaging hand held appliance in accordance with another embodimentof the invention

Both views 601 602 show the initial seal feature 603 functions the forcorner seal embodiment similarly as in the edged seal embodiment. Theviews 601 602 illustrate the initial seal feature 603, corner vacuum &seal feature 605, compression wheel 607 in the seal feature. The handleattachment 606 used in holding the vacuum packaging appliance duringoperation is shown in view 601.

In the initial bag open-end seal, a sealing motion is used to push orpull the open-end of the bag through the trough-like sealing channel605, which uses a compression wheel 607 to press seal the open-endclosed and bonded similar to the edge embodiment above. The other sideof the corner sealer 602 appliance illustrates the corner vacuum andseal feature. The corner vacuum and seal feature 603 also functionssimilarly to the above embodiments in that a penetration mechanisminserts a punch nozzle, penetration neck containing small ducts orchannels, into the sealed bag allowing evacuation of the air or gas fromwithin the bag, collapsing the back tightly around the contents andforming a vacuum seal. The penetration is then sealed as expressedabove. This embodiment acts on a corner of the bag, which is alignedflush, or nearly so, and held steady to position the penetration holewhere the re-seal can be accomplished without misalignment between theprocesses. A corner-sealing element 611 is shown which allows for lessthan perfect alignment with a corner so long as the bag corner is heldin a non slip position between penetration and re-seal.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference topreferred embodiments, it is understood that variations andmodifications thereof may be made without departing from the true spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A portable vacuum packaging appliance for use with a bag, theappliance comprising: a body housing a sealer mechanism, a bagpenetration mechanism, a vacuum chamber and vacuum pump; a housing bodywith a slot opening for engaging bag for sealing the open bag end viathe sealer mechanism; a bag penetration mechanism capable of puncturingat least one hole in the bag with top and bottom gasket temporary seals,allowing evacuation of the bag without substantial communication withambient air; a vacuum pump operatively coupled to the vacuum chamberportion and communicatively coupled with the penetration mechanism forremoving air from the bag, isolating the bag contents in an evacuatedstate, and a sealer mechanism to seal the open bag end and also tore-seal along a perimeter between the bag penetration mechanism and thebag contents.
 2. Appliance as in claim 1 further comprising a hoseattachment coupled to the vacuum pump for connecting a hose conduit to acontainer which can be evacuated through the hose and then sealed, thusisolating contents of the container substantially in a vacuum. 3.Appliance as in claim 1 further comprising a penetration mechanism withchannels on base supporting nozzle punch head, channels allowingconvective communication between inside bag and vacuum chamber when bagis penetrated.
 4. Appliance as in claim 1 further comprising a batteryfor portable operation.
 5. Appliance as in claim 4 further comprising arechargeable battery operation.
 6. Appliance as in claim 1 furthercomprising a portable utility by having average hand dimensionality inbody and base size dimensions.
 7. Appliance as in claim 6 furthercomprising a handheld look and feel design in body housing for stabilityduring manual operation.
 8. Appliance as in claim 6 further comprising ahandheld body design for hand held use and operation of the appliance.9. Appliance as in claim 1 further comprising a user interface panel foruse by the user in controlling the appliance.
 10. Appliance as in claim9 wherein the user interface provides appliance function adjustments andoption selection, user information regarding vacuum level, sealingoperation and allowing the user to select parameters for operations suchas length of seal and vacuum profile.
 11. Appliance as in claim 9further comprising a user interface panel with digital display andelectronically connected with an appliance control system.
 12. A methodof vacuum packaging goods comprising: feeding an open-end edge of a bagthrough an intake feeder mechanism, the bag having an open end and aclosed distal end; sealing the edge of the open end of the bag bytranslation of bag open end through a sealing mechanism; puncturing bagwith a penetration nozzle mechanism establishing convectivecommunication with an inner portion of the bag through at least onepunched bag hole; evacuating the bag via the penetration nozzlemechanism, and sealing the bag such that the at least one punched baghole is no longer coupled with the inner portion of the bag.
 13. Methodof claim 12 further comprising resealing the bag penetration nozzle holethrough application of conducted wire heat seal to bag between hole andbag contents.
 14. Method of claim 12 further comprising resealing thebag penetration nozzle hole through application of material compressionheat to bag between hole and bag contents.
 15. Method of claim 12further comprising resealing the bag penetration nozzle hole throughdeposition of metered heat application by laser along a perimeterbetween hole and bag contents.
 16. Method of claim 12 further comprisingsealing the bag open end through application of conducted wire heatspanning the bag open end.
 17. Method of claim 12 further comprisingsealing the bag open end through application of material compressionheat spanning the bag open end.
 18. Method of claim 13 furthercomprising sealing the bag through deposition of metered laser heatapplication translated along bag open end.
 19. A vacuum sealed bagformed according to the process of claim
 12. 20. A vacuum sealedcollapsible container forming a vacuumed package of contents, whereinthe container is sealed before evacuation and vacuum packed under sealedconditions.
 21. A vacuum sealed bag formed as in claim 20 processfurther allowing multiple resealing through the process repetition. 22.A portable vacuum packaging appliance for use with a bag, the appliancecomprising: an appliance body housing first and second thermal sealermechanisms, a hole penetration nozzle mechanism, a vacuum chamber andvacuum pump; the body with a slot opening for engaging and translatingthe bag open end through the first sealer mechanism for initial bagsealing; a hole penetration nozzle mechanism capable of puncturing holeswith top and bottom gasket temporary seals maintaining convective fluidintegrity between bag internals and vacuum chamber; a vacuum pumpcoupled to the vacuum chamber for removing air from the bag, and asecond sealer mechanism to reseal a perimeter between the bagpenetration nozzle and the bag remaining contents thus isolating the bagcontents in an evacuated state.
 23. Appliance as in claim 22 furthercomprising a penetration mechanism with channels on the hole penetrationnozzle mechanism communicatively coupling the bag to the vacuum chamber.